LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 7, 2009

TO:	Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB4416 by Kuempel (Relating to the establishment of the Texas Gaming Commission to regulate games of chance or other gaming activities at specific locations including dog or horse tracks, destination resort casinos, or on Indian tribal lands.), As Introduced

Depending upon the specifics of the Commission and the gaming operations, there could be an indeterminate fiscal implication to the state.

The bill would add new Chapter 470 to the Government Code to establish the Texas Gaming Commission to regulate gaming at specific locations, including dog and horse tracks, destination resort casinos, and Indian tribal lands. The Commission would have nine members, appointed by the Governor for two year terms, could employ an executive director and other staff, and could adopt rules to implement this chapter.

The bill would specify the Commission's powers, including the licensing of persons to conduct gaming. The Commission could condition a license on a local option election.

The bill would specify that revenue received from licensed gaming operations would be dedicated one-quarter to public education, one-quarter to transportation, and the remainder to General Revenue Fund 0001.

The bill would take effect January 1, 2009 but only if a constitutional amendment is approved by the voters on November 3, 2009.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts

LBB Staff:

JOB, JRO, SD